Sustainable utilization of agro-industrial wastes through

integration of bio-energy and mushroom production

Amelia Kajumulo Kivaisi, Berhanu Assefa,

Suhaila Omar Hashim, Anthony Manoni Mshandete

October 2010
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

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Citation: Kivaisi, A., Assefa B., Hashim S., Mshandete A. 2010. Sustainable utilization of agro-industrial
wastes through integration of bio-energy and mushroom production. Nairobi, Kenya, ILRI.

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Consortium Project Document - Project 04/2010

Principal investigator:

Professor Amelia Kajumulo Kivaisi

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS)
University of Dar es Salaam
P. O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
E-mail: Amelia_kivaisi@yahoo.co.uk and akivaisi@amu.udsm.ac.tz

Co-Principal investigators:

Dr Berhanu Assefa
Chemical Engineering Department
Institute of Technology
Addis Ababa University
P. O. Box 385, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E-mail: hmberhanu@yahoo.com
Dr Suhaila Omar Hashim
Department of Biological sciences
Pwani University College
P.O. Box P. O. BOX 195 - 80108, Kilifi, Kenya
E-mail:sohashim@yahoo.com
Dr Anthony Manoni Mshandete
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS)
University of Dar es Salaam
P. O. Box 35179, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
E-mail: mshandete@amu.udsm.ac.tz

Amount Requested:

USD 1.2 M

Duration:

2011-2013

October 2010

2. Executive Summary
Sustainable use of renewable natural resources through value addition using biological life processes is an ideal
transition in a petroleum based economy to bioresource economy, and in addressing climate change. The purpose
of this project is to demonstrate innovative technologies with a potential to utilize agro-industrial wastes currently
seen as low value materials as bioresource to produce value added products at the same time reducing
environmental pollution burden. The project entitled: Sustainable utilization of agro-industrial wastes through
integration of bio-energy and mushroom production proposes to integrate mushroom cultivation and bioenergy
production from coffee processing and sisal wastes for more value addition. The project will establish technoeconomic feasibility of the integrated technologies and disseminate to stakeholders. The direct potential benefits
anticipated in this project include biogas for electricity production, high energy coffee waste briquettes, edible
mushrooms, biofertilizer and public good. The project has a potential to benefit agro processing industries that will
diversify their products through utilization of wastes to produce bioproducts with high economic value thus giving
them a competitive advantage. Delivery of the project is feasible because it will be executed by a consortium made
up of multidisciplinary development partners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Federal Republic of Germany and
Denmark who will complement each other to deliver the expected outputs. The consortium is collabollating with
private sector partners as a platform for future product commercialization. The project is anticipated to last 3 years
and estimated to cost approx. USD 1.5 million.
3. Background and rationale for the proposed project
Biorefining of waste biomass involving the integrated production of chemicals, materials and
bioenergy is a potential alternative for adding significant economic value to the waste as a bioresource. In the
21st century and beyond, bio-resource based economy is envisaged globally as a strategy towards achieving
social, economic and environmental sustainability. Agriculture will be core to the bio-resource based
economy, providing source of raw materials, which are sustainable, plentiful and inexpensive for utilization
in bioprocesses for the production of bio-products. In the Eastern Africas (EA) economy, agriculture is the
mainstay and currently accounts for about 80% of the rural incomes, and coffee and sisal are among the
important cash crops. EA is currently producing about 600,000 tons of coffee beans and about 100,000 tons of
sisal fibre annually. Crop production and processing activities are generating huge quantities of organic waste.
Coffee processing done by wet and dry methods discard away 99% of the biomass generated by the
coffee plants at different stages from harvesting to consumption. This includes cherry wastes, coffee
parchment husks, sliver skin, coffee spent grounds, coffee leaves, and wastewater. Wet processing uses up to
15 m3 of water to produce one ton of clean beans [1] and for every ton of beans produced, about one ton of
husks are generated. It is estimated that coffee processing is generating about 9 million m3 of wastewater, and
600,000 tons of husks annually in the EA region.
Production of sisal fibre from the sisal plant (Agave sisalana) is also a high waste industry currently
using only about 2% of the sisal plant as fibre and the rest being various wastes, including decortications
wastes (wastewater, sisal leaf decortications, sisal short fibres and sisal dusts) and post harvest waste (sisal
stems or sisal boles). The traditional wet sisal leaf decortications process generates about 100 m3 and 25 tons
of wastewater and solid wastes, respectively, per ton of sisal fibres produced. In Tanzania and Kenya, about
20 million m3 of sisal decortications wastewater and 5 million tons of solid sisal decortications wastes are
generated annually [2]. Annual generation of post harvest sisal (stems) boles in both Kenya and Tanzania is
significant and estimated at 4-8 million tons (Katani Ltd, Tanzania, personal Communication).
Agro-industrial wastes generated in EA are mostly underutilized, untreated and thus in most cases
disposed off by burning, dumping or by unplanned landfilling. These practices are a wastage of bioresources
apart from contributing to emission of green house gases (GHG) leading to climate change. At the same time,
utilization of fossil fuels which is also contributing to GHG emissions has become a global concern thus
necessitating the development of alternative cleaner, renewable bioenergy resources. Organic wastes despite
being a menace to the environment, represent a potential bioresource for production of value added products
such as food in the form of mushrooms, feed, bioenergy, biofertilizers and other biobased products [3].

Coffee waste contains high amounts of organic substrates including carbohydrates proteins, pectins,
fibres and fat for bioconversion into value added bioproducts [4]. However, large-scale utilization and
management of coffee wastes around the world still remains a challenge due to caffeine, free phenols and
tannins (polyphenols) which are known to be very toxic to many life processes [5]. Previous studies have
confirmed that toxic materials can be minimized by hot water pretreatment, microbial biodegradation and
aerobic fermentation [6], [7]). To that effect, production of bioproducts such as silage, biogas, worms, animal
feed, ethanol, vinegar, single-cell protein, enzymes, biopesticides, and probiotics have only been established
at small scale thus demonstration of the technology at pilot scale is yet to be achieved. [8], [9]).
Production of oyster mushrooms using coffee husks for mushroom cultivation has been attempted in
southern America [7]. However, utilization of the other coffee wastes for oyster mushroom cultivation is still
in its infancy and not well documented [9]). One of the strategies to utilize other coffee wastes could be
composting of fresh coffee wastes before growing oyster mushrooms. This will not only reduce the toxic
nature, but also help in obtaining high mushroom yields on bulky cheaper coffee waste substrates, thus
making the venture technically realistic and feasible at large scale.
Apart from growing oyster mushrooms to utilize coffee wastes holistically, another innovative
approach is biogas production [8]. The biogas produced could be used for roasting of coffee processing solid
wastes and the waste heat from the roasting unit could be used for pre-drying of the wastes. The roasted coffee
waste would produce briquettes with 70 % less processing cost and 80 % more energy density than the ones
made from raw biomass [10]. However, the feasibility of this concept is yet to be investigated and
demonstrated at pilot scale in EA and elsewhere.
The sisal industry in EA is facing a number of challenges mainly caused by its failure to adopt new
technologies to utilize other parts of the sisal plant apart from hard fibres. A holistic approach to utilize sisal
decortications wastes and post harvest wastes presents a feasible future option for the survival of the sisal
industry [11]. To that effect, efforts have recently been made to diversify bioproducts from sisal wastes.
Mshandete and Cuff [12] reported oyster mushrooms cultivation on solid sisal decortications wastes only at
laboratory scale. However, oyster mushroom production from sisal post harvest wastes has never been
investigated. Furthermore laboratory investigations under the just ended BIO-EARN programme showed that
anaerobic digestion of solid sisal decortications wastes to biogas is technically feasible and could be
improved by various methods [13], [14]). However, production of biogas from post harvest sisal wastes is yet
to be established and demonstrated at pilot scale.
Currently in Tanzania and Kenya, solid sisal decortications wastes are used as feedstock for large
scale biogas production using stirred tank bioreactors (STBR), and conversion of the biogas to electricity.
However, biogas production is limited by the lignocellulosic nature, and high carbon:nitrogen ratio of solid
sisal wastes. Traditionally, hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials for increased biogas production is achieved
by pre-treatments. The C:N ratio can be manipulated conventionally by blending materials low in carbon
content with those that are high in nitrogen content and vice versa. An innovative way of increasing nitrogen
content of lignocelluloses and at the same time improving on hydrolysis of their fibre components is by fungi
pretreatment, particularly white-rot prior to anaerobic digestion [15]). However, the potential of mixed sisal
decortications wastes and post harvest sisal wastes as substrates for oyster mushroom cultivation and
subsequent utilization of the spent substrates for biogas production is yet to be investigated.
Biogas manure (BgM) is a byproduct obtained from biogas plants after anaerobic digestion of organic
matter. Anaerobic digestion reduces carbon: nitrogen ratio by removing some of the carbon thus increasing
the fertilizing value. BgM is rich in organic matter, supplies essential nutrients, trace elements and other active
substances. It is rich in humic acid that enhances water holding capacity, soil aeration, accelerates root growth
and inhibits growth of weed seeds. The nitrogen released from organic matter during anaerobic digestion,
becomes ammonium which is water soluble and thus readily available for plant uptake. Evaluation of fertilizer
value of BgM resulting from anaerobic digestion of coffee and sisal wastes with integrated oyster mushroom
cultivation has never been done. The proposed project therefore, intends to apply an innovative approach for
the utilization of agro-industrial based organic waste for bioenergy production with integration of mushroom
cultivation, thus adding more value to local bioresources in a sustainable manner, while at the same time
3

minimising GHG emissions. Thus, this project fits within the BIO-INNOVATE priority areas of themes 1&2
with respect to climate change adaptability, food productivity and security, value addition to local
bioresources in a sustainable manner and enhancing bioenergy recovery.

References
1. Hue N. V., Bittenbender H. C., and Ortiz-Escobar M. E., (2004). Managing coffee processing water in
Hawaii, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human
Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
2. Muthangya, M., Mshandete, A.M., Kivaisi, A. K. (2009). J. Agricultural and Biological
Science. 4(4): 66-73.
3. Okonko, I.O., Adeola,O.T., Aloysius,F.E., Damilola, A.O and Adewale, O.A (2009). 8 (4): 263-286.
4. Gathuo, B., Rantala, P. and Maatta, R., (1991). Water Sci Technol, 17(1).
5. 5.Fan L., Soccol A.T., Pandey A.and Soccol , C.R. (2003). Micologia Applicada International 15
(1):15-21.
6. Gaime-Perraud, I., S. Roussos and Martnez. Carrera, D (1993), Micol. Neotrop. Appl., 6: 95-103.
7. Martnez-Carrera, D., A. Aguilar, W. Martnez, M. Bonilla, P. Morales and M. Sobal, (2000). In:
Sera, T., C. Soccol, A. Pandey & S. Roussos (Eds.). Kluwer Academic Publishers.
8. Neves, L., Oliveira,R. and Alves, M.M. (2006). 26 :176181.
9. Murthy P.S. and Manonmani H.K. (2008). Research Jornal of Environmental Science. 2(2):145-150.
10. Bergman, P.C.A and Kiel, J.H.A (2005). Torrefaction for biomass upgrading, Proceeding of 14th
European Biomass Conference & Exhibition, Paris, France.
11. Bisanda, E.T.N and Enock J. (2003). Discovery and Innovation. 15 (1/2): 17-27.
12. Mshandete, A.M and Cuff, J. (2008).. African J. Biotech. 7(24): 4551-4562.
13. Mshandete, A.M. (2005). Ph.D Thesis University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
14. Muthangya M. (2008). M.Sc. Dissertation. University of Nairobi Kenya.
15. Mehta, V., Gupta, J.K. and Kaushal, S.C. (1990). World J. microbial and Biotech. 6:366-370
16. Muthangya, M., Mshandete, A.M., Kivaisi, A. K. (2009). Int. J. Mol. Sci. 10: 4805-4815.

4. Adding value to existing efforts

A number of efforts have been initiated at regional level to address problems of hunger and poverty via
agricultural production, advocating for value addition to agricultural products and sustainability of food
production. Some of these initiatives include the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the
Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The proposed project will
complement these initiatives indirectly through utilization of agriculture-based waste for generation of
renewable energy and food production in the form of protein-rich mushrooms. This approach will contribute
to efforts towards sustainable agriculture in the region.
Initiatives have also been in place to address problems of pollution as a result of disposal of untreated
agro-industrial and industrial wastes in East Africa for climate change mitigation. The largest of the initiatives
was the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) and the just ended BIO-EARN
programme. In Phase III of the latter programme, research focused on establishing improved technologies for
the production of bioenergy and recovery of value added products from fish and sisal processing wastes. Pretreatment of sisal waste with mycelia of a local fungus resulted in a significant improvement in biogas
production [16]. These results raised another research question on the possibility of adding more value to the
waste by first cultivating edible mushrooms and then using the spent mushroom substrates (SMS) as a
feedstock for biogas production.
The chances of success of the proposed project are very high because it will build on sound knowledge,
expertise and an experienced platform of partners with defined roles and commitment, with a large input of
previous investments, experiences and achievements from the recently concluded Sida-supported BIO-EARN
Program. Incentives and conducive policies present in the region also provide an enabling environment for the
project objectives to be achieved. Besides, the proposed project has a big potential for replication in the region
at small, medium and commercial scales, to produce mushrooms and bioenergy. This increases the chances of
success.
5. Potential for economic and social impact
The project has a potential to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development in the region because
there is evidence of demand for the proposed innovation. As mentioned above, the recently installed industrial
5

plant producing biogas from sisal decortication waste in Tanzania is obtaining lower biogas yields than
anticipated. This has been attributed to the fibrous nature and poor nutrient ratios of the feedstock. To improve
on the nutrient rations of the waste, the industrial biogas plant for electricity generation recently installed at
Kilifi, Kenya is co-digesting sisal waste with cow manure. The demand for technology to maximize biogas
yields from sisal waste is hence evident. Worldwide it is well established that utilization of coffee wastes in
production of bioproducts is impended by the toxic nature of the wastes. Reduction of toxic nature of the
coffee wastes by growing mushrooms is an innovative approach towards alleviating the problem at the same
time producing a valuable product. Utilization of biogas generated for improving the energy content of coffee
solid wastes for briquettes is yet an attractive innovation. Additionally, BgM has a big potential in organic
crop production which is currently a popular practice generating more revenue from the produce. Within the

Eastern African region, production of edible mushrooms is at a small scale which is hardly satisfying
the fast growing demand for fresh mushrooms locally and by the booming tourist industry. In Kenya,
the current production is estimated at 500 tons per annum and the imports stand at 150 tons per annum. In
Ethiopia, the current demand for fresh mushrooms by hotels and airlines is estimated at about 460 tons and
being catered mostly through imports because the production is much lower. In Tanzania, production stands at
30 tons while the imports stand at about 150 tons. The local market for fresh mushrooms in Eastern Africa is
guaranteed and needs to be satisfied. On the other hand, the global mushroom demand is more than 50 billion
USD annually and is increasing every year by about 20%, hence there is also room for export markets.
Additionally, there is also a growing demand for mushroom-based food supplements as health-

enhancing additions by the local and external markets. Therefore the demand for large scale
production is apparent with a huge impact potential.
The proposed project has a potential to impact on socio-economic development in the participating
countries. First of all, energy from biomass is a sustainable and an environmentally sound means of producing
modern energy. Currently, agro-processing industries depend mainly on thermal/hydro electricity which has
been unrealiable and expensive. Utilization of the wastes that these industries generate for energy production
in the form of heat and power will provide them with a more sustainable, realiable and cost-effective source of
energy. Additionally, energy will be produced locally, thus stimulating local self employment.
Mushroom cultivation is a labour intensive activity and therefore has a potential to employment
opportunities, particularly for villagers within the vicinity of agro-processing factories in order to improve
their livelihood. Mushroom cultivation on a large scale will thus improve on their availability at affordable
cost, and hence provide the people with an additional nutrient rich vegetable which can be of direct benefit to
the human health. Mushroom cultivation is a profitable agri-business and mushrooms can be sold in local
markets or exported to earn foreign revenue that will definitely contribute to sustainable economic
development.
6. Regional and international collaboration
The execution of the proposed project will involve participation of partners in public and private sectors
within the Eastern African region including, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia and international partners from
Germany and Denmark. A regional and international approach is more effective than a national one because it
will broaden the field for the availability of technical know-how, providing a platform for the convergence
and complementing competences and experiences of partners to foster strong linkages to address common
regional developmental challenges such as environmental pollution emanating from agro-processing, climate
change mitigation, and sustainable energy sources in an efficient manner. Additionally, in the wake of the East
African common market, the chances for evaluation, incubation and eventual outlet for developed products is
greater than in a national setting. Besides, the project intends to develop integrated technologies to utilize
agro-industrial waste to generate energy and mushrooms that has a potential to benefit the entire region
through adoption. A regional approach is a more rational way of utilizing funds because it will avoid
duplication of efforts.
7. Project goal and purpose
The development goal of this project is that by 2013, the Eastern African region has in place, pilot scale plants
demonstrating the utilization of agro-industrial wastes by applying an innovative biorefinery approach of
integrating production of edible mushrooms and biogas, and its conversion to electricity thus adding more
6

value to the bio-resource. Specifically, the project seeks to establish the feasibility of applying this concept in
the utilization of sisal and coffee wastes to produce oyster mushrooms, and utilize the spent mushroom waste
mixed with selected agro-industrial wastes as a feedstock for improved biogas production. Furthermore, the
project aims at demonstrating the use of biogas for firing an infrared roaster for production of coffee waste
briquettes. The purpose is to get this innovative technology adopted by respective agro-industries for cleaner
production and hence climate change mitigation.
8. Objectives
In order to achieve the stated developmental goal, the following specific objectives must be achieved:
1. To establish technologies for integration of mushroom cultivation with biogas production from coffee and
sisal processing, and sisal post-harvest waste.
2. To evaluate the suitability of coffee solid waste for the production of high energy briquettes utilizing a
biogas fired infrared roaster.
3. To evaluate techno-economic feasibility of the developed technologies.
4. To assess the fertilizer value of the biogas manure.
5. To disseminate the results of the established technologies.
9. Outputs
The project will deliver the following major outputs:
a. Protocols for optimal formulations of substrates and parameters for mushroom cultivation using
coffee and sisal wastes.
b. Laboratory protocols for biogas production from mushroom spent substrate mixtures in two stage and
stirred tank bioreactors.
c. Commercial scale mushroom growing facilities (1000kg/month capacity) utilizing 2000 tons of wet
substrates.
d. Ten (10) cubic meter digesters with a potential to produce a minimum of 5 cubic meters of biogas per
day installed on site at collaborating sisal factories. Assuming a methane content of the gas to be
produced is 60%, the gas to be produced is equivalent to about 9 kWh of electricity and 13.5 kWh of
thermo energy. In the case of coffee waste, the pilot plant size is estimated to produce about 4 m3
biogas/day under normal circumstance. The intended biogas generation volume is estimated from 8
hours gas consumption for firing infrared roaster assuming its consumption rate is equal to house hold
biogas stove consumption, i.e. approximately 300 l biogas/hr.
e. Skilled employees in mushroom cultivation and biogas production at collaborating factories
f. Information on optimal logistics for the mushroom-bioenergy plants and markets for the products.
g. Data on performance of the scaled-up mushroom farm and biogas plants.
h. Information on composition of the upgraded biogas and its suitability for firing an infrared roaster
i. Infrared roaster and briquette making machine fabricated
j. Coffee waste briquettes and data on their energy density.
k. Information on performance of the power generator utilizing biogas
l. Data on fertilizer value of biogas manures.
m. Data on techno-economic feasibility of the integrated technologies
10. Outcomes
The proposed project intends to impact directly and indirectly on the environment and on the economies of the
beneficiaries (starting with the partner factories) and the region at large. Within short and medium terms, the
following outcomes are envisaged: 1) By 2013, a significant decrease in waste disposed off in the vicinity of
the collaborating coffee and sisal-processing factories will have been realized 2) An increase in the number of
employees at collaborating factories due to mushroom cultivation 3) An increase in availability of mushrooms
and their consumption by communities in vicinities of the collaborating factories 4) The project partners that
include Coffee Plantations Development Enterprise in Ethiopia, Kilifi Plantations Ltd in Kenya and
Mohamed Enterprises in Tanzania, will be engaged in running and monitoring the demonstrated systems at
their premises beyond the project period and Memoranda of agreements signed between the partners by the
end of the project. 5) Increased knowledge and skills in mushroom and biogas production among factory
7

workers 6) Through proper information dissemination, it is expected that the project outputs will increase
interest in potential stake holders and engage them in verification of the developed technologies and 7) The
project will prompt investments in large-scale spawn (mushroom seed) production industries.
11. Methodology and description of project activities
11.1 Project Design
The project will be implemented under three major components that include 1) coffee processing waste 2)
sisal decortication waste and 3) sisal post-harvest waste in two phases. In Phase 1, the technology will be
established and optimized followed by up-scaling for demonstration and dissemination in Phase 2. The
following specific activities will be carried out:
Phase 1
1. Holding of project inception workshop.
2. Procurement of equipment.
3. Determination of abundance and characteristics of coffee waste streams in Ethiopia, and sisal wastes
at collaborating factories in Kenya and Tanzania.
4. Evaluation of suitability of various coffee waste streams and optimization for oyster mushroom
cultivation.
5. Optimization of substrate formulations using sisal decortication wastes (SDW) and sisal post-harvest
wastes (SPHW) for oyster mushroom cultivation.
6. Investigations on biogas yield potentials of coffee waste spent substrates (CWSS) singly and in
combination with coffee processing wastes (CPW) and other organic wastes in batch bioreactors.
7. Investigations on biogas yield potentials of sisal decortication waste spent substrate (SDWSS) singly
and in combination with sisal processing wastes (SPW) and other organic wastes in batch anaerobic
bioreactors.
8. Investigations on biogas yield potentials of SPHW spent substrate singly and in combination SPW
and other organic wastes in batch anaerobic bioreactors.
9. Examination of performance of a two-stage anaerobic digester for biogas production from selected
blends of CWSS with CPW, other organic wastes and optimization.
10. Optimization of biogas production from selected blends of SDWSS and SPHSS with SPW and other
organic wastes in a laboratory scale stirred tank bioreactor (STBR).
11. Design and construction of demonstration mushroom growing facilities (1000 kg/month capacity) on
site at collaborating factories.
12. Design and construction of a 103 m. demonstration biogas plants.
Phase 2
1. Training of selected factory employees in mushroom cultivation and biogas technology.
2. Commercial scale mushroom cultivation on site at collaborating factories.
3. Start-up, operation and monitoring of scaled-up biogas digesters utilizing the optimal spent substrate
mixtures
4. Coupling of biogas digester to the upgrading unit and electricity generator and monitor
5. Designing and constructing a biogas-fired infrared roaster and briquette making machine
6. Production of briquettes from roasted coffee waste and evaluation of energy density
7. Determination of fertilizer value of resultant biogas manures
8. Determination of optimum logistics for mushroom farm and bioenergy plants, identification of
markets and distribution of the products
9. Carrying out of techno-economic analyses of the established technologies
10. Holding of a dissemination workshop
11. Analysis of results and final reporting
11.2 Methodology
Abundance and characteristics of waste: Field surveys will be conducted at collaborating factories
in Tanzania and Kenya to quantify sisal decortications waste and sisal post harvest waste (boles) while in
Ethiopia, national generation of coffee waste will be established. All waste streams will characterized by
standard methods and will require ovens, furnaces, COD analyses, dissolved oxygen meter, pH probes, etc.
8

Oyster mushroom cultivation: Selected strains of oyster mushrooms will be procured from reputable
mushroom culture banks and will be sub-cultured and cryo-preserved. Sub-cultured mushroom strains will
also be used for spawn making. Spawn will be produced using spawn making facilities which include
autoclaves, laminar flow hoods, incubators etc. A cold storage facility shall be used for temporary storage of
the produced spawn prior to propagating on the substrates. In order to determine optimal substrate
formulations that will shorten the crop cycle and increase mushroom yield, different substrate blends and
conditions for oyster mushroom cultivation will be investigated at laboratory scale.
Laboratory scale experiments: Anaerobic batch bioreactors will be constructed using 1L Erlenmeyer
flasks and accessories to investigate biogas yield potentials from spent mushroom substrates and different
blends of spent mushroom substrates with other waste streams. Biogas quantity and content will be monitored
using innovative analytical methods that have been developed in the laboratory. Two-stage anaerobic digester
(for coffee-based waste) and intermittently stirred tank bioreactor (for sisal-based waste) using optimum
substrate blends for biogas production will be tested and operational conditions optimized.
Up-scaling: Mushroom production will be scaled up to 1000kg/month using best coffee and sisal
based substrate formulations in an innovative, low technology farm to be constructed along with a steam
chamber for bulk pasteurization of substrates. A facility for composting coffee waste substrates will also be
constructed. The optimum blends of spent mushroom substrates with other waste streams will be used in
scaling up of biogas production. A two stage (10 cu.m) anaerobic digester will be evaluated for generating
biogas that will be used as feed for a gas-fired infrared dryer/roaster for production of briquettes from solid
coffee waste. A 10 cu.m STBR will be evaluated for production of biogas from optimum sisal waste based
blends. The demonstration plants will be installed in all the three countries on site at development partners
premises. The locations of the plants will be as follows: 1) In Ethiopia, at one of the Coffee Plantations
Development Enterprise factory 2) In Kenya, at Kilifi Plantations utilizing sisal decortications wastes 3) In
Tanzania, at Alawi sisal estate, at one of the factories owned by Mohamed Enterprises Tanzania Ltd utilizing
sisal postharvest wastes (sisal stems/bole).
Coffee waste briquettes production: To produce high energy briquettes from solid coffee waste, an
innovative approach will be employed. This will involve designing and constructing a biogas-fired infrared
roaster for roasting solid coffee waste. Roasted coffee wastes obtained will then be used for making
briquettes using a low technology briquette making machine that does not use conventional binders at
different temperatures and raw materials. The heating value of the briquettes will be determined by using a
bomb calorimeter.
Fertilizer value of biogas manure (BgM): BgM emanating from the biogas plants after anaerobic
digestion of spent mushroom substrate and sisal and coffee-based wastes will be determined by comparing
with other common organic manures and chemical fertilizers in terms of nutrient composition and in growth
of vegetables in green houses or enclosed vegetable farms. Microbial populations in BgM-treated and nonBgM treated soils will be evaluated using standard methods.
Training workshops: In order to demonstrate and transfer the integrated technologies of mushroom and
biogas production from coffee and sisal based wastes to delivery partners, tailor-made training courses for
factory personnel will be conducted on site using the up-scaled mushroom and biogas production facilities in
place.
Biogas upgrading: Biogas will be upgraded using bio-scrubbers to remove hydrogen sulphide, carbon
dioxide and water vapour prior to its utilization for electricity production and firing the infrared roaster.
Logistics and markets: Optimum logistics for mushroom farms and bioenergy plants, and distribution of
their products to the markets will be established. All products supply chain will be studied for the market
centers and respective capacities identified. A mathematical model will be developed to the computation of
the entire process chains and scenarios. Demand for the products and potential market centers, their distance
from the production site will be studied.
Techno-economic analysis: All inputs for project products will be considered in the analyses and
standard feasibility study tools will be used. Both conventional and software methods will be employed.
12. Pathway to impact, applicability of the results in practice and potential impact
A team of biotechnologists, applied microbiologists, environmental and process engineers will carry out
research work to optimize and validate the proposed concepts in the laboratory. The validated technologies
9

will be demonstrated by up-scaling on site at partner factories in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Here the
technologies will undergo testing, incubation and further improvement in collaboration with the industrial
partners. Techno-economic evaluation will be carried out to establish feasibility of these technologies for
commercialization.
It is expected that the feasible demonstrated technologies will first be adopted by our industrial partners
and later on will be replicated elsewhere in the region. Hence in the long term, the project is anticipated to
impact on the industrial project partners, and other sisal and coffee processing industries, large scale farmers,
and municipalities who will adopt the demonstrated technologies. First, the utilization of the wastes and
residues will significantly reduce environmental pollution and at the same time add value to the waste which
will by then, be regarded as a resource. Secondly the project will provide economic benefits with respect to
savings through use of own generated bio-energy which is sustainable and in line with Millennium
Development Goal (MDG) No. 7 which calls for ensuring environmental sustainability. The partner industries
could benefit from the global carbon credits scheme. Secondly, apart from providing economic benefits and
an alternative protein rich food supplement to the people, commercial scale production of edible mushrooms
will motivate investments in other economic ventures for example mushroom seed production companies, and
packages production companies in the region and most likely result in foreign markets. This will contribute to
economic development in the region.
13. Quality and organization of the consortium
The project team is multidisciplinary, competent, and of a regional character. It is composed of two chemical
and process engineers with experience in biological waste treatment technologies and biogas utilization; two
environmental biotechnologists with a long time research experience in biogas production from agroindustrial wastes and mushroom science; a mycologist with experience in large scale mushroom cultivation;
and a seasoned biochemist with expertise in industrial biotechnology. The team will collaborate with two
international partners including 1) an environmental science and process engineer with expertise in biogas
plant design and extensive experience with two-stage biogas digesters and 2) An environmental
biotechnologist with long term experience with large scale biogas systems utilizing agro-industrial waste.
These individual capabilities complement each other to form a synergy required to execute the stated project
objectives successfully. The partner institutions include the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania,
which is the lead institution; Addis Ababa University (AAU) in Ethiopia; and Pwani University College
(PUC) in Kenya. The international collaborators include Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) and
Danish Technical University in Denmark. For product delivery, the team has three industrial partners
including Coffee Plantations Development Enterprise in Ethiopia, Kilifi Plantations in Kenya, and Mohamed
Enterprises Ltd Sisal Plantations in Tanzania. The roles and responsibilities of development and delivery
partners are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Roles and responsibilities of project partners
Partner institution
University of Dar es
salaam, Tanzania:
1. Department of
Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology,
2.Department of Chemical
and Process Engineering,

Pwani University College

Department of Biological
Sciences, Kenya

Development partners
Scientist
Roles
Prof. Amelia Kivaisi
PI-Project coordination; Dissemination
Dr Anthony Manoni
CO-PI; Technology development: Integration of
Mshandete
production of mushroom with biogas production utilizing
sisal boles; Dissemination; Providing backstopping
expertise at PUC
Dr. Oscar Kibazohi
Dr N. Mwaluko
Dr. Suhaila Omar
Hashim

Dr Juma Mzee Amana

Technology scaling up in collaboration with industrial

partners in Tanzania and Kenya; Dissemination
Techno-economic analysis
CO-PI; Integration of mushroom cultivation with biogas
production using sisal decortication waste; Dissemination

Integration of mushroom cultivation with biogas

production using sisal decortication waste; Dissemination ;

10

Addis Ababa University

1. Institute of Technology
Department of Chemical
Engineering
2. Biology Department
Applied Microbiology
Unit

Dr Berhanu Assefa

Brandenberg University of
Technology, Germany
Danish Technical
University

Prof. Dr-Ing. Gunter

Busch
Prof. Irini Angelidaki

Name of Industry
Mohamed Enterprises
Tanzania Ltd (Sisal
plantations)
Coffee Plantations
Development Enterprise,
Ethiopia
Kilifi Platantions Kenya

Dr Dawit Abate

Dissemination of results
Project coordination (CO-PI);
Technology development: Two stage biogas digester using
coffee waste;
High density coffee waste briquette production;
Dissemination
Technology development: mushroom cultivation utilizing
coffee waste; Dissemination

Technological support: Two stage anaerobic digestion

process
Technological support: Up-scaling of stirred tank anaerobic
bioreactor
Product delivery partners
Name of Manager
Roles
Dr N. Subbaih
Technology demonstration on site the factory in
collaboration with scientists; provide data for technoeconomic analysis
Mr Baye Mokennen
Technology demonstration on site the factory in
collaboration with scientists; provide data for technoeconomic analysis
Technology demonstration on site the factory in
Eng. Patrick
collaboration with scientists; provide data for technoKagema
economic analysis

14. Competence and skill track record of principal Investigator

Prof. Amelia Kivaisi, University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania will be responsible for the overall
management of the project. Hence UDSM will be the lead institution. Prof. Kivaisi has long-term experience
in research and development project management. She has managed a number of big research projects
involving teamwork/more than one departments/institutions including the Applied Microbiology Project
(AMU) at the University of Dar es Salaam under the sponsorship of NUFFIC-the Netherlands (1996-2005), a
Sida /SAREC-Sweden sponsored project on mushroom cultivation in Tanzania utilizing agricultural waste
(1995-2004), a Sida/SAREC-Sweden sponsored project entitled Towards Enhancing Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology at the University of Dar es Salaam (2005-2008), and she was the PI of a project entitled
Development of improved technologies to utilize industrial and agricultural waste for bioenergy and valueadded chemical production under the just ended BIO-EARN programme (2006-2010). Her brief CV is
attached in Annex 1.
For reference, contact: Prof. Makenya Maboko, DVC Academic Research and Consultancy, University of Dar
es Salaam, P.O Box 35090 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, email: maboko@admin.udsm.ac.tz.
The PI will be assisted by the following Co-Principal Investigators (CO-PIs) at partner institutions: 1)
Dr Berhanu Assefa, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Dr Assefa is Assistant Professorin the Department of
Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology 2) Dr Suhaila Omar Hashim, Pwani University
College, Kenya. Dr Hashim is currently a lecturer and researcher in biochemistry in the Department of
Biological Sciences and 3) Dr Anthony Manoni Mshandete , University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Dr
Mshandete is Senior Lecturer in environmental biotechnology and researcher in the Department of Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology. CVs of all CO-PIs are attached in Annex 1.
15. Proposed consortium project management
Matching funds: Industrial partners will offer land for location of demonstration mushroom
cultivation facilities, biogas plants and coffee briquette making equipment, and provide security of the
installed facilities and equipment. Support from participating universities will be in the form of provision of
research laboratory space, basic equipment, the cost of water and electricity, and salaries for the scientists.
Institutional support letters will be sent separately.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The progress of the project will be monitored at Main Activity level
11

(MA) by Co-Principal Investigators (CO-PI) and at project level by the Principal Investigator (PI). The main
focus will be on completing each aspect of the project on-schedule within the budget. Regular meetings to
evaluate the progress in details in terms of expected outputs as per activities carried out, to identify problems
and make any decisions about the changes in the strategy. At project level, annual meetings of all
developmental partners will be held. Monitoring will also be through six-monthly reports where
achievements will be evaluated against the planned activities where a monitoring Ghant chart will be used to
track progress. Furthermore, the project progress will be monitored by performing a self evaluation exercise
annually at MA and project levels.
Dissemination and communications plans: All the achievements will be disseminated through
publications in peer reviewed scientific journals and presented at national, region and international
conferences. Project results will also be published in trade journals to reach a wider audience where our
innovative approach to utilize agro-industrial wastes will be advertised in the Eastern African region. The
information will not only be disseminated to the scientific and technical recipients, but also to the public and
policy makers through workshops. Specifically, training workshops on biogas/mushroom technologies for
collaborating factory workers, and (2) a dissemination workshop at the end of project period will be
conducted. Leaflets and brochures with project results will be printed out and distributed among different
research organizations. Two simple handbooks one in mushroom cultivation and the other on biogas digester
monitoring will be produced.
Intelectual property and other policy issues: All Intellectual Property (IP) issues will be guided by
IP policies of all partner institutions as well as corresponding host countries. However, for common interest,
all partner institutions will operate within an alliance agreement framework to be formulated and agreed upon
after inception of the project. It will include: 1) Material transfer agreement to cater for materials such as
biological agents to be transferred from one institution to another. Purpose, use and sharing of outputs from
use of the materials among the institutions will be stipulated in the agreement 2) Record keeping of research
information, confidentiality and non disclosure agreement among partner institutions and with private sector
partners. This agreement intends to inform all researchers on how to maintain research logbooks (dates and
entries) and that any material, notes or discoveries belonging to the project should be kept confidential in
order to avoid unauthorized use of research output resulting in financial loss to researchers and partner
institutions 3) Patenting in case of new inventions will be stipulated to cover how and where to apply for a
patent, and which institution will be an applicant and how to share proceeds from commercialization of patent
4) The framework will clearly specify collaboration agreement with private partners. Agreement will include
ownership of research equipment during and after project life cycle, responsibility and duties of private
partner and participating institutions, material transfer agreement, loyalties beyond project life cycle if the
partners wished to continue with and/or upscale production based on project findings, and non discloser to
third party and transfer of technology to a third party agreement. Agreements with private partners will be
signed at the commencement of the project.
16. Milestones and time frame
Milestones towards achieving project objectives are shown in the Table 2 below.
Table 2. Milestones towards project goal

Milestones
Completion of waste auditing and optimization of oyster mushroom cultivation on
coffee and sisal wastes
Completion of investigations on biogas yield potentials of mushroom spent substrates
and blends
Lab scale optimization experiments with coffee-based waste in a two stage anaerobic
bioreactor completed
Lab scale optimization experiments with sisal-based wastes in stirred tank bioreactors
completed
12

Period (months
after start of
project)
9
8
23
12

Construction works of demonstration mushroom cultivation facilities completed

Construction works of biogas digesters completed
Training workshops on mushroom cultivation carried out

12
12
23

Training workshop on biogas technology carried out

23

Commercial scale mushroom cultivation commenced

22

Scaled up biogas digesters started-up and in operation

22

Biogas-fired infrared roaster and briquette machine construction completed

23

Production of briquettes commenced

23

Data for biogas manure fertilizer value obtained and information on markets for
project products
Optimum logistics for mushroom farm and bio-energy plants and distribution of
products determination completed
Techno-economic analyses completed

33

Final dissemination workshop held

36

33
33

17. Indicators of progress towards the results

The proposed project is anticipated to results into a number of outcomes with the following indicators: 1)
The quantity of waste used for mushroom cultivation, biogas and briquette production 2) The number of
employees for the mushroom farms and bio-energy plants 3) Quantity of mushrooms sold to communities 4)
MOUs signed between the partners by 2012 to take over the bioenergy plants and mushroom farms beyond
the project 5) At least one additional factory shown interest in the coffee briquette production technology and
a collaboration MOU signed by 2013 6) At least three more factories seeking product development
collaboration with development partners and MOUs signed by 2013 7) Number of acres utilizing biogas
manure at collaborating plantations 8) Quantity of manure sold to the public 9) At least one investor in large
scale spawn making by 2013.

13

18. Appendix A : Project Activity Plan

Project duration
Activity description
1

Year 1 (Quarters)
3

Holding of a project inception

workshop
Procurement of equipment
Quantification and
characterization of coffee and
sisal waste streams
Renovation of mushroom house
at PUC
Evaluation of suitability of
coffee waste streams and
optimize for oyster mushroom
cultivation.
Optimization of substrate
formulations using sisal
decortication and post-harvest
wastes for oyster mushroom
cultivation
Investigations on biogas yield
potentials of coffee waste spent
substrates
Investigations on biogas yield
potentials of sisal decortication
and post-harvest waste spent
substrates
Optimization of a two-stage
anaerobic digester for biogas
production from selected coffee
waste blends

14

Year 2 (Quarters)
3

Year 3 (Quarters)

Optimization of biogas
production from selected blends
of sisal decortication and post
harvest spent substrates in STBR
Design and construction of
demonstration mushroom
growing facilities
Design and construction of upscaled demonstration biogas
plants
Training workshops for selected
factory employees on mushroom
cultivation and biogas
technology
Commercial scale mushroom
cultivation on site
Start-up, operation and
monitoring of scaled-up biogas
digesters
Biogas upgrading and
monitoring
Design and construct a biogasfired infrared roaster and
briquette making machine
Roasted coffee waste briquettes
production and evaluation of
energy density
Coupling of up-graded biogas to
power generator and monitor
Determination of optimum
logistics for mushroom farm and
bio-energy plant and distribution
of their products
Identification of markets for the
resultant products
Evaluation of fertilizer value of

15

biogas manure
Techno-economic analyses
Final dissemination workshop
Analysis of results and final
reporting
Annual meetings between
project partners

19.

Detailed and summary project budget (USD)

The project is estimated to cost USD 1,200,000. Summary and detailed budget per major activity per EA collaborating institutions are provided in tables 3
and 4 below.
Table 3. Summary budget (AAU=Addis Ababa Univ.; PUC=Pwani Univ. College; UDSM=Univ. of Dar es Salaam ;
Item description

Year 1

Year 2

AAU
Equipment
Lab./consumables
Travel
Fieldwork costs
Contractual labor*

PUC

79700
11300
26338
-

UDSM

Year 3

AAU

PUC

UDSM

Total

AAU

PUC

UDSM

70040

60850

46450

27800

64182

19500

4500

4700

5340

6410

4271

5750

5310

3000

4100

16165

24440

27251

37816

27665

12115

9825

13400

2400

2550

373022
50181
195015
4950

24700

75400

84250

36350

45700

38000

13550

1000

1000

Consultancy

1000

9500

9500

8500

Printing and publishing

5000

2080

2000

3500

2000

2000

2000

Workshops

21840

1400

1500

6440

11880

Training costs

4100

12650

14150

1145

3000

Overhead

6944

1000

1000

7000

2874

Coordination costs*

6600

3120

7320

10050

8120

32000

7800

3120

17000

Unforeseen

3750

1500

1500

3500

1500

1500

2000

2000

2000

19250

159332

170425

211540

146990

139857

187747

60344

56385

67380

1,200,000

43.45

46.48

45.33

40.08

38.14

40.23

16.46

15.38

14.44

Total
% of total allocation

16

319950
28500
18580
43060
35045
18818
95130

*Contractual labor includes casual labor, research assistants, design and construction works; coordination includes management cost, travel of PI and CO-PIs, meetings

17

Table 4. Budget per main activity per EA partner institution for the period 2011-2013
MAJOR ACTIVITIY

TOTAL (USD)

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS
AAU*

PUC*

UDSM*

8,000

1,550

14,585

24,135

2. Procurement of major equipment

65,200

23,190

17,250

105,640

3. Waste audit and characterization

8,245

2,115

15,355

25,715

1. Inception workshop

69,623
4. Technology development and optimization23,933
for coffee waste,
26,990 sisal wastes
18,700and sisal postharvest
wastes
98,520
5. Design and construction of mushroom farms
21,160
40,260
37,100
64,700

76,190

154,390

13,787

10,120

25,860

49,767

5,000

5,000

5,508

1,500

1,500

8,508

159,333

170,425

211,540

541,298

6. Design and construction of biogas plants 13,500

7. Project management
8. Dissemination (brochures, leaflets)
9. Contingency
Subtotal

YEAR 2 (2012)
1. Design and construction of biogas utilization
36100
system(infrared
roaster-briquetting
0
system)* 36,100
156,188
1. Commercial mushroom cultivation for demonstration
17535
59171
79482
14270

7700

29,285

6300

6450

12,750

4. Up-scaling and monitoring of biogas plants58400

39796

38090

136,286

21875

21,875

16800

8620

19750

45,170

4. Dissemination of results

4940

10200

12900

28,040

5. Contingency

3,500

1500

1,500

6,500

187,747

474,594

21125

37,840.0

11210

6000

7600

24,810.0

3. Identification of markets

3500

3000

3500

10,000.0

4. Biogas mushroom production logistics

9445 -

9,445.0

5. Techno-economic analysis

3000

4000

13000

20,000.0

7273.5

3620

18000

28,893.5

7. Dissemination

4800

16640

23280

44,720.0

8. Contingency

4400

2000

2000

8,400.0

67,380

184,109

466,667

1,200,000

2. Training workshops on mushroom cultivation

7315
3. Training workshops on biogas
2. Biogas upgrading, monitoring and utilization
3. Project management

Subtotal

146,990

139,857

YEAR 3 (2013)
1. Biogas upgrading, monitoring and utilization
16715
2. Determination fertilizer value

6. Project Management

Subtotal

60,344

56,385

Grand total (Year 1,2.3)

366,666

366,667

18

Logframe
Title of Consortium Project: Sustainable utilization of agro-industrial wastes through integration of bio-energy and mushroom production
Goal of the Project: The development goal of this project is that by 2013, the Eastern African region has in place, pilot scale plants demonstrating the
utilization of agro-industrial wastes by applying an innovative bio-refinery approach of integrating production of edible mushrooms and
biogas.
Outputs

Outcome

Performance
Indicator of Outcome

Data Source

Collection Method

Objective # 1: To establish technologies for integration of mushroom cultivation with biogas production from coffee processing
and sisal wastes.
1.1 By 2013, a significant 1.1 The quantity of
Protocols for optimal
Progress
Surveys/visits
decrease in waste
waste used for
formulations of substrates
Interviews
report
disposed off in the
mushroom
and conditions for oyster
vicinity
of
the
cultivation, biogas
mushroom cultivation by
Factory
collaborating coffee
and briquette
January 2012
reports
and sisal-processing
production
Optimal conditions for
factories
1.2 The number of
digesting the spent
Site visits
1.2
An
increase
in
the
employees for the
substrate mixtures in twonumber of employees
mushroom farms
stage bioreactor and in
at
collaborating
and bio-energy
stirred tank bioreactor
factories
due
to
plants
Dec. 2012
mushroom cultivation
1000 kg/ month -scale
1.3 An
increase
in 1.3 Quantity of
mushroom growing
availability
of
mushrooms sold to
facilities and 10,000L
mushroom
to
communities
biogas digesters installed
communities
in
on site at collaborating
vicinities
of
the
factories by Sep. 2012
1.4 MOUs signed
factories
between the
1.4
The
project
delivery
Data on performance of
partners by 2013
partners
engaged
in
scaled-up biogas digesters
running
By Dec. 2013
and monitoring the
19

Assumptions - Assessment of
Progress/Achievements

Political situation is
conducive in the region
Alliance of agreement for
the consortium signed
MOUs between
development and delivery
partners signed and parties
complying
Project funds per activity
delivered timely

demonstrated systems
at their premises
beyond

Objective # 2 : To evaluate the suitability of coffee solid waste for production of high energy briquettes utilizing a biogas fired
infrared roaster
At least one additional
Infrared roaster and 2.1 The technology
Surveys/visits
Progress reports
briquette making
Interviews
prompted interest in other factory shown interest
machine
coffee processing
and a collaboration
Coffee waste
factories
MOU signed by 2013
briquettes and data
on their energy
density.
Objective # 3: To evaluate techno-economic feasibility of the improved technologies
Information on optimal
logistics for the
mushroom bio-energy
plants ans available
markets for the resultant
products
Techno-economic
feasibility of the
integrated technologies

3.1 Delivery partners 3.1 At least one partner

adopting the technology shown interest in
for commercialization
adopting the
technology by 2013.

Progress
reports

Surveys/visits
Interviews

Competence to develop
improved process gained
More effective linkages with
factory formed
Project funds per activity
delivered timely

3.2 Interest of other agro- 3.2 At least three more

processing factories to
factories seeking
verify the developed
collaboration with
technologies increased
development partners
and MOUs signed by
2013

Political situation is
conducive in the region
Alliance of agreement for
the consortium signed
MOUs between
development and delivery
partners signed and parties
complying
Demonstration plants in
place and operating
Project funds per activity
delivered timely

Objective # 4: To assess the fertilizer value of the biogas manure

Data on fertilizer value
of biogas manures.

4.1 Decrease in
utilization of commercial
fertilizer on sisal and

4.1 No. of acres

utilizing biogas

20

Progress
reports

Surveys/visits
Interviews

MOUs between
development and delivery
partners signed and parties

coffee farms at partner

plantations.
4.2 Biogas manure used
by the public in
horticulture

manure.

Site visits

4.2 Quantity of manure

sold to the public

Objective # 5: To disseminate the results of the established technologies.

6.1 Awareness on
6.1 Number of
Handbooks on
potential project impacts
mushroom cultivation
sectors/institutions that
raised among stake
and biogas production
attended the
holders
Skilled employees in
dissemination
mushroom cultivation
workshop
and biogas production at
collaborating factories
6.2 Number of factory
Brochures on the project 6.2 Increased knowledge
and skills in mushroom employees working on
At least 10 Scientific
and biogas production the mushroom farms
paper publications in
among workers at the and bio-energy plants
referred journals
factory
6.3 At least one
6.3 The project will investor in spawn
prompt investments in making by 2012
large-scale
spawn
(mushroom
seed)
production industries.

21

Progress
reports
Factory
reports
Paper
reprints
Copies of
brochures
and books

Visits

Interviews

complying
Experimental plots made
available by partner
plantations
Organic food producers to
utilize the manure present

Participants to attend the

workshop sensitized and
interested
Demonstrated spawn making
in technology environment is
accepted and cost-effective

ANNEX

ANNEX 1: PI and CO-PI Curriculum vitae

Amelia Kivaisi
Personal Data
Name:
Position:
Affiliation:

Kajumulo Kivaisi, Amelia

Professor
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania

Qualifications
1978: BSc (General), University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
1984: MSc in Microbiology, Stockholm University, Sweden
1990: PhD (Applied Microbiology), University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Scientific experience
Auditing of waste materials including mapping. Biogas production from waste organic materials.
Anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic materials using rumen microorganisms and optimization of the
processes including application of biological pre-treatment. Mushroom production. Lignolytic
enzymes in basidiomycetes. Composting of municipal solid waste. Supervised over 25 postgraduate
research students and published over 50 scientific publications in referred journals.
Managerial skills
Coordinator of a number of research projects, under the sponsorship of NUFFIC-The Netherlands for
12 years and SIDA/SAREC-Sweden for more than 10 years. Chief Editor of the Tanzania Journal of .
Science for 3 years.
Recent publications since 2008
1. Anthony Manoni Mshandete, Lovisa Bjrnsson, Amelia Kajumulo Kivaisi, Mugassa,
Steven Thomas Rubindamayugi, Bo Mattiasson.(2008). Performance of biofilm carriers in
anaerobic digestion of sisal leaf waste leachate. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology
[online]. 15 January 2008, vol. 11, no. 1 [cited date]. Available from Internet:
http://www.ejbiotechnology.info/content/vol11/issue1/full/7/index.html. ISSN 0717-3458.
2. Anthony Manoni Mshandete, Lovisa Bjrnsson, Amelia Kajumulo Kivaisi, Mugassa,
Steven Thomas Rubindamayugi, Bo Mattiasson.(2008). Two-stage anaerobic digestion of
aerobic pre-treated sisal leaf decortications residues: hydrolases activities and biogas
production profile. African Journal of Biochemistry Research2: 211-218
3. Anthony Manoni Mshandete, Lovisa Bjrnsson, Amelia Kajumulo Kivaisi, Mugassa,
Steven Thomas Rubindamayugi, Bo Mattiasson.(2008). Effect of aerobic pre-treatment on
production of hydrolases and volatile fatty acids during anaerobic digestion of solid sisal
lead decortications residues. African Journal of Biochemistry Research. 2(5): 111-119.
4. Muthangya, M, Mshandete, A.M. Kivaisi, A.K. (2009). Enhancement of anaerobic
digestion of sisal leaf decortication residues by biological pre-treatment. ARPN Journal of
Agricutural and Biological Science. Vol 4(4), 66-73.
5. Muthangya, M, Mshandete, A.M. Kivaisi, A.K. (2009). Two-stage fungi pre-treatment for
improved biogas production from sisal leaf decortication residues. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 10,
4805-4815.

22

Anthony Manoni Mshandete

Personal Data
Name:
Anthony Manoni Mshandete
Position:
Senior Lecturer
Affiliation:
Dept. of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural
and Applied Sciences (CoNAS), University of Dar es Salaam
(UDSM), Tanzania.
Qualifications
1992: B.Sc. (Chemistry and Biology) with Education , University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
1998: M.Sc in (Applied Mushroom Biology/Mycology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2005: Ph.D. in Applied Microbiology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Scientific experience
Building, operating and monitoring anaerobic bioreactors: batch and high rate two-stage anaerobic,
packed bed and fixed bed anaerobic bioreactors for biogas production from waste organic materials.
Auditing and mapping of organic waste materials. Improvement of anaerobic digestion of
lignocellulosic materials including application of physical, biological pre-treatment methods,
immobilization using support materials, addition of additives and co-digestion (blending) of protein
and carbohydrates rich waste materials. Mushroom production from lignocellulosic organic wastes
using edible mushrooms of genus Pleurotus, Coprinus and Volvariella. Fermentation of macrofungi
(mushrooms) mycelia for the production of exo-polysaccharides. Natural products (bioactive agents
from higher fungi particularly Coprinus cinereus an indigenous edible and medicinal mushroom from
Tanzania.
Managerial Skills
Principal Investigator of projects on production of biogas from aquatic weeds and co-production of
oyster mushrooms and biogas from weeds (2005-2006, 2009), which was supported by sida/SAREC.
Currently a coordinator of research project supported by World Bank (2009-2014) on bioconversions
of organic wastes using biotechnology and sida/SAREC (2009-2013) on bioenergy production from
bioorganic wastes. Editorial member of the Tanzania J. Science from (2009-2011). Postdoctoral
fellow in BIOEARN PROJECT 4 supported by sida/SAREC (2006-2010) responsible for research as
well as assist in guiding and supervising postgraduate students. Supervised over 30 B.Sc. dissertations
since 2005, currently supervising 3 Ph.Ds and 2M.Scs. Over 20 scientific publications in referred
journals, one book on mushrooms and fours chapter in a mushroom book written in Kiswahili.
Summary of publication record from 2008
1. Mshandete, A.M.; Bjrnsson, L.; Kivaisi, A.K.; Rubindamayugi, M.S.T. and Mattiasson, B. (2008).
Performance of biofilm carriers in anaerobic digestion of sisal leaf waste leachate. Electronic
Journal of
Biotechnology. Vol.11 (1): 1-8.
2. Mshandete, A.M. and Cuff, J. (2008). Cultivation of three types of indigenous wild edible
mushrooms:
Coprinus cinereus, Pleurotus flabellatus and Volvariella volvocea on composted sisal decortications
residue in Tanzania. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 7(24): 4551-4562.
3. Mshandete, A.M.; Bjrnsson, L.; Kivaisi, A.K.; Rubindamayugi, M.S.T. and Mattiasson, B.
(2008).Two-stage anaerobic digestion of aerobic pre-treatedsisal leaf decortications residues:
hydrolases activities and biogas production profile. African Journal of Biochemistry Research
Vol.2,
(11), 211-218
4. Muthangya, M, Mshandete, A.M. Kivaisi, A.K. (2009). Enhancement of anaerobic digestion
of sisal leaf decortication residues by biological pretreatment. ARPN Journal of Agricultural
and Biological Science. Vol 4(4), 66-73.
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Suhaila Omar Hashim

Personal data
Position: Lecturer (Biochemistry/Biotechnology)
Affiliation Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Pwani University
College, Kilifi, Kenya
Academic qualifications
1995: B.Sc (Biochemistry and Zoology; Honours), University of Nairobi, Kenya.
2000: M.Sc (Biochemistry), University of Nairobi, Kenya.
2004: Ph.D (Biotechnology), Lund University, Sweden.
2008-2010: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Biotechnology, Lund University, Sweden.
Scientific experience
Screening and isolation of microorganisms for production of novel biocatalysts for industrial application,
enzyme technology involving production, purification and characterization of enzymes, bioseparation
processes (downstream processing) of proteins and other biomolecules, protein stability studies, molecular
biology, bioinformatics. Postdoctoral fellowship between 2008 and 2010, in an on going Green Chem
project Greener chemistry for a cleaner environment, at the Department of Biotechnology, Lund
University. Activities involved production/development of suitable biocatalysts for enzymatic
transformation of renewable raw materials to chemicals and participated in on-going doctoral research
projects on stability of enzymes.
Managerial skills
Supervised BSc. and MSc. research projects, was in charge of computer facilities, was departmental
representative at the Faculty of Science timetabling committee and Secretary of the departmental
committee for the review of Biochemistry programme at the Department of Biochemistry, University of
Nairobi during the year 2005. Assisted in supervision of three PhD candidates during the postdoctoral
fellowship between 2008 -2010. Coordinator of Medical Programmes at Pwani University College.
Member of research and training, and curriculum review committees of the Department of Biological
Sciences at Pwani University College. Acting Chairman of Department of Biological Sciences during
July-August, 2010. She has served as a reviewer/referee for peer-reviewed journals in various journals and
has published over 10 papers.
Relevant publications
1. Hashim SO, Delgado O, Martinez A, Hatti-Kaul R, Mulaa FJ and Mattiasson B (2005). Alkaline active
maltohexaose forming -amylase from Bacillus halodurans LBK 34. Enzyme and Microbial
Technology 36: 139-146
2. Quillaguaman J, Hashim SO, Bento F, Mattiasson B and Hatti-Kaul R (2005). Poly(-hydroxybutyrate)
production by a moderate halophile, Halomonas boliviensis LC1 using starch hydrolysate as a
substrate. Journal of Applied Microbiology 99 (1); 151-157.
3. Mamo G, Kasture S, Faryar R, Hashim S, Hatti-Kaul R. Surfactants from Xylan: Production of nOctyl Xylosides using a highly thermostable Xylanase from Thermotoga neapolitana (2009). Process
Biochemistry 45 (5); 700-705.
4. Doan Van-Thuoc , Hashim S, Hatti-Kaul, R, Mamo G. Enzyme stabilization by ectoine and
hydroxyectoine at high pH. In: Thuoc Doan-Van (2009), Production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and
ectoines using a halophilic bacterium. Lund University, Sweden. ISBN978-91-89627-64-2.
5. Doan Van-Thuoc , Hashim S, Hatti-Kaul, R, Mamo G (2010). Enzyme stabilization by ectoine and
hydroxyectoine at high pH a study using Bacillus halodurans xylanase as a model. Submitted to
Biochimie journal.
6. Tran T.T., Hashim, S.O., Mamo, G., Mattiasson, B. and Hatti-Kaul, R. (2010). Thermostable phytase
from Bacillus sp. MD2: effect of divalent metal ions on activity and stability. Submitted to
Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal.

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Berhanu Assefa Demessie

Personal Data
Name: Berhanu Assefa Demessie Position: Assistant Professor Affiliation: Dept. of Chemical
Engineering, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (AAIT),
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Academic qualification
1991: B.Sc in Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia 1997: M.Sc. in
Petroleum Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. 2002: Ph.D.
in Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway.

Scientific experience
Industrial material and energy auditing; designing pollutant removal of system from industrial effluents;
process effluent treatment and technology selection; designing, building and operating waste treatment
unit and investigating the performance of treatment unit; investigation of removal of fluoride from
ground water membrane technology and adsorption using local materials; industrial wastewater
treatment using membrane technology; - investigating of lab single and two stage biogas generations
from vegetable solid wastes; cities solid waste generation, characterization and management strategies.
Solid waste stream analysis for energy potential and

Managerial Skills
Assistant dean of the Faculty of Technology, AAU, from 2006 to 2009; Principal investigator of project
on two stage biogas generations from vegetable solid wastes funded by Ethiopian Ministry of Science &
Technology from 2008 - 2009; Principal investigator of project on Textile Factory wastewater treatment
using membrane technology, which was funded by Ministry of Water Resources from 2008 to 2009; CoPrincipal investigator of IGNIS project on recovery of resources from Municipal Solid Waste in a
sustainable way in emerging mega- cities and converting into biogas, compost, etc. It is financed by
German Government from 2008 - 2013. Supervised over 15 M.Sc student thesis dissertations and 5
projects since 2003, currently supervising 3 M.Sc students, and one project on producing simple hand tool
to cover dry waste organic solid into dense briquette fuel

Publications
Berhanu A., Investigation of the performance RO membrane for fluoride removal, Zede Journal
of Ethiopian Engineers and Architecture, 21, 1 - 12.

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